[Prevalence of positive tuberculin test in a population of patients requiring long-term care in a hospital setting].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of positive tuberculin tests in a population of patients requiring long-term care in a hospital setting.


METHODS
Prevalence study: to evaluate reaction to the test among patients who agreed to be included in the study.


METHODS
The study took place in two units of the Enfant-Jésus hospital where patients are admitted for chronic care.


METHODS
A total of 108 patients were eligible for the study; 56 agreed to take part. One patient died before the study was completed.


METHODS
The tuberculin test consisted of an injection of PPD-T and reading the reaction 48 to 78 hours later. A reaction > 10 mm was considered significant. Patients with insignificant reactions were injected again 2 weeks later in order to evaluate positive response secondary to reactivation of the immune system (booster effect).


METHODS
Indications of previous tuberculosis, risk factors for tuberculosis, immunosuppressive medication, length of stay in hospital, size of reaction.


RESULTS
Seventeen tuberculin tests were positive (30.9%); of these, six were positive after the second injection.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of positive tuberculin tests was high in our elderly population; this finding is comparable to the findings of American studies.
Leduc
Y
Y
Unité de Médecine Familiale de l'Enfant-Jésus, Centre Maizerets, Québec.
Drapeau
S
S
Samson
I
I
Tremblay
R
R
Emond
J G
JG
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011792:Quebec / Q000453:epidemiology; D014374:Tuberculin Test; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology
Prévalence du test à la tuberculine positif dans une population de patients en hébergement intra-hospitalier.